Microspore cultures as donor tissue for the initiation of embryogenic cell suspensions in barley

We have initiated embryogenic cell suspension cultures of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) ‘Igri’ from isolated microspore cultures. Data were obtained on the time required for establishment, frequency of establishment, i.e. number of calluses out of the total number of initiations giving rise to suspensions, and embryogenic capacity of the suspension cultures.

For comparison, establishment of embryogenic cell suspensions from callus derived from immature zygotic embryos of ‘Igri’, ‘Dissa’ and ‘Golden Promise’ was also carried out. The results revealed that embryogenic suspension cultures were established in half the time and with a seven-fold higher frequency from microspore cultures than from zygotic embryo-derived calluses.

The suspension cultures were still capable of embryo formation after two years. However, only albino plantlets were regenerated. For comparison, long term callus cultures derived from microspores, anthers and zygotic embryos were established. From the anther and zygotic embryo-derived callus cultures green plants were continuously regenerated, whereas the microspore-derived callus cultures lost this ability after the second subculture.